Metro Blue Line (Minnesota)

Metro Blue Line

Company type	Public transit light rail line
Industry	Public transportation
Founded	June 26, 2004 (2004-06-26)
Headquarters	Minneapolis , United States
Area served	Hennepin County, Minnesota
Owner	Metropolitan Council (Metro Transit)
Parent	Metro Transit

The Metro Blue Line is a light rail route situated in Hennepin County, Minnesota, and forms part of the Metro transit system. It links downtown Minneapolis with the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and the suburban city of Bloomington. Previously known as the Hiawatha Line (Route 55) until May 2013, its name derived from the historic Milwaukee Road's Hiawatha passenger train and Hiawatha Avenue, sharing portions of infrastructure and alignment. Launched on June 26, 2004, it was Minnesota’s inaugural light rail service. An extension project, the Bottineau LRT, is slated for completion by 2030.

Managed by Metro Transit, the principal public transportation agency in the Twin Cities, the Blue Line operates roughly between 3:19 a.m. and 12:50 a.m., maintaining 15-minute intervals for most of the day. In 2019, it recorded an average weekday ridership of 32,928 passengers, representing 13 percent of Metro Transit’s total ridership, and transported 10.6 million riders in 2015.

Within South Minneapolis, several bus routes intersect at transit centers along the line, facilitating connections to other Metro lines and frequent bus services. The Blue Line features two park and ride locations—Fort Snelling and 30th Avenue station—offering a combined parking capacity for 2,569 vehicles. Prominent stops along the corridor include downtown Minneapolis, Lake Street, Minnehaha Park, Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport, and the Mall of America. At the airport, it provides complimentary continuous transit between the Lindbergh and Humphrey terminals. Additionally, when regular Blue Line service is not running, a night shuttle train known as the Airport Shuttle operates to connect these terminals.

Background

The Minneapolis–St. Paul region once boasted an extensive streetcar system operated by Twin City Rapid Transit, which ceased operations in the 1950s with all tracks subsequently removed.

Since the final trolley service ended in 1954, efforts to reinstate rail transit have persisted. Concepts for a modern streetcar or light rail along the Hiawatha Avenue corridor date back to as early as 1974. Following the streetcar system’s discontinuation, traffic congestion escalated sharply; a report from 2003 ranked this area as the seventeenth most congested in the United States, with congestion levels rising rapidly.

Political obstacles hindered rail transit projects until the 1990s when support increased due to advocacy by Governor Jesse Ventura and Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg, coupled with greater federal funding availability. While previous governors endorsed light rail initiatives, they were unable to secure legislative approval. Governor Tim Pawlenty initially opposed expanding light rail and the Northstar Line commuter rail but changed his position in 2004 after revised plans demonstrated feasibility.

Project development

Although other corridors—such as routes serving western suburbs or the Central Corridor connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul—were considered popular options, much of the land along Hiawatha Avenue was already under state ownership due to a canceled expressway project from the 1960s. The corridor’s direct access to the airport and proximity to the Mall of America made it particularly appealing to planners.

The idea of establishing a rail line on Hiawatha Avenue had been under consideration for over ten years before receiving official approval. A 1985 Environmental Impact Statement conducted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) concluded that light rail was the most suitable mode for this corridor. Although Mn/DOT revisited bus rapid transit options in 1996, they ultimately reverted to light rail once funding became available, resulting in the current project design.

Construction and inauguration

The total expenditure for the line amounted to $715.3 million, with federal contributions covering $334.3 million of that sum. This figure surpassed the original budget estimate from 1997, which was approximately $400 million. While detractors point to cost overruns, proponents explain the increased expenses as a result of route extensions, modifications in design, and inflationary pressures. Initial designs did not include the ultimate downtown terminal or a direct transit link to the Mall of America. The Warehouse District station was incorporated early in the planning stages, and an additional investment of $40 million during construction facilitated extending the line directly into the Mall's transit center. Consequently, the line’s length grew from the initially reported 11.6 miles to 12 miles, with further extension added in 2009 at Target Field. Groundbreaking took place on January 17, 2001.

The planned opening on April 3, 2004, was postponed due to a Metro Transit bus operators' strike beginning in March 2004. Delivery delays of Bombardier-manufactured trainsets—produced in Mexico to conform to U.S. low-floor standards—also contributed to the postponement. Testing uncovered typical issues expected with new vehicles but nothing out of the ordinary according to Bombardier.

Bus services resumed on April 19, leading to a revised opening date of June 26. Testing continued throughout the strike period, primarily conducted by Bombardier personnel. After the strike ended, train operators underwent refresher training. The first phase officially commenced on June 26, 2004, followed by a second phase launch on December 4; both phases featured two days of complimentary rides on trains and buses. Extensive pre-launch testing included approximately one month of simulated regular operations per phase. Notably, the Hiawatha Line began service exactly fifty years and one week after Minneapolis discontinued streetcar operations.

On opening day, June 26, 2004, light rail staff, security personnel, and volunteers worked together to ensure a seamless debut. Officials projected around 30,000 boardings that day, supported by free rides and station entertainment designed to ease wait times. Expected daily ridership was estimated at 19,300 for 2005 with projections rising to 24,600 by 2020.

Developments following opening

Plans for busways continue to be evaluated for future transit projects, with at least one anticipated for construction. Construction on the Green Line—the second light rail line connecting downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul—commenced in late 2010 and opened on June 14, 2014. The federal government announced $478 million in funding support on April 26, 2011.

For Super Bowl LII held on February 4, 2018, at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Blue Line operated exclusively for ticket holders with nonstop service between Mall of America and the stadium station; other stops were served by complimentary shuttle buses.

In July 2011, the Metropolitan Council approved renaming the Hiawatha Line as the Blue Line to align with a color-coded naming scheme for Twin Cities transit lines including the Green Line light rail linking St. Paul, the Orange Line bus rapid transit along I-35W, and the operational Red Line bus rapid transit along Cedar Avenue. The Blue Line name officially took effect on May 17, 2013.

Beginning July 8, 2022, a major five-week project closed five Blue Line stations from Mall of America to Airport Terminal 2—the largest construction undertaking in the line’s history. Metro Transit replaced deteriorated tracks and upgraded safety systems. Improvements included enabling trains to switch tracks and reverse direction near 30th Avenue Station, enhancing reliability and ease of maintenance projected over the next forty years. Ryan Heath, Metro Transit engineer leading this initiative, highlighted its critical role in sustaining system performance long term.

Planned Extension

An expansion of the line toward Brooklyn Park is under consideration. On August 3, 2020, following disagreements with The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway concerning right-of-way access, the Metropolitan Council revealed intentions to "investigate alternatives to progress this essential project without utilizing BNSF Railway right of way." The current proposal directs the Blue Line Extension eastward from Target Field along Washington Avenue, then continues through north Minneapolis via 21st Avenue, West Broadway Avenue, and Bottineau Boulevard, eventually reconnecting with the original alignment near 73rd Avenue and West Broadway.

Route

Stretching 12mi, the Blue Line connects downtown Minneapolis with the Mall of America. Its southern endpoint at the Mall of America station lies beneath the mall’s east parking ramp, providing direct access to the mall. This station links to the Red Line as well as local bus services including those operated by Minnesota Valley Transit Authority. Departing from the Mall of America, trains proceed east toward the 28th Avenue station park-and-ride facility located in Bloomington's South Loop District before arriving at the Terminal 2–Humphrey station at MSP Airport near Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

To traverse MSP Airport, the line passes through twin tunnels measuring 7300ft in length, a project that involved a $110 million investment in tunnel boring machinery. While underground, trains stop at the Terminal 1–Lindbergh station, situated 65ft below surface level. Upon emerging from the tunnels, service includes two park-and-ride locations at Fort Snelling station. Beyond this point, the route follows a surface-level segregated right of way parallel to Minnesota State Highway 55, with stops near landmarks such as the VA Medical Center and Minnehaha Park in south Minneapolis. Elevated bridges carry trains over major intersections at Lake Street and Franklin Avenue, featuring stations positioned above these crossings.

The line then crosses to the opposite side of Highway 55 and utilizes the former railbed of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific’s Short Line, historically used by Hiawatha passenger services, to approach downtown Minneapolis. After crossing Interstate 35W on a dedicated bridge, it merges with Green Line tracks near U.S. Bank Stadium, where the U.S. Bank Stadium station is designed with an integrated pedestrian plaza to facilitate event crowd flow.

Within downtown, trains operate along surface streets sharing a single lane with vehicular traffic except for the block containing Government Plaza station, which is closed to cars and features a pedestrian plaza linking Minneapolis City Hall and the Hennepin County Government Center. Stops include Nicollet Mall, serving as a key transit and pedestrian corridor. The northern terminus at Target Field station provides connections to the Northstar Commuter Rail.

Stations

Line	Mode
Template:Left	Light rail
Template:Left	BRT
Template:Left	BRT
Template:Left	BRT
Template:Left	BRT
Template:Left	BRT
Template:Left	Commuter rail

Station/Stop	Line	Transfer	Opened	ridership (2024)	Level
	Template:Center	Template:Center	2009	1728	Elevated
	Template:Center		2004	1374	At-grade
	Template:Center	Template:Center	2004	2847	At-grade

All 19 stations along this corridor showcase distinctive architectural elements that mirror the character of their respective neighborhoods. Ticket vending machines offer multilingual guidance in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong, accommodating the multicultural demographics of Minneapolis. The typical interval between stops ranges from two to three minutes.

The light rail system replaced the former shuttle bus service connecting airport terminals, providing continuous 24-hour operations with complimentary rides between airport stations. Initially, only seven out of seventeen stations were designed to handle three-car trains; the remainder underwent modifications or extensions by 2009 to boost capacity. The majority of funding was secured through federal grants, supplemented by investments from the Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County, and Bloomington.

Station additions

In 2009, the Blue Line was extended northwestward from the Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue station to the Target Field Station, financed in part by the Minnesota Twins as a component of the Target Field project. This station comprises two levels: the upper deck serves Blue and Green Line light rail trains, while the lower level accommodates platforms adjacent to BNSF mainline tracks for the Northstar Line commuter rail. The forthcoming extension known as the Green Line or Southwest Corridor will directly link to this station and share routes with the Blue Line.

The construction of the new American Boulevard Station in Bloomington, positioned between Humphrey Terminal Station and Bloomington Central Station, was made possible through combined federal and local funding. Although initially planned during original line construction, its completion was postponed due to budget overruns; however, much of its subterranean infrastructure had been pre-installed earlier, enabling finalization with minimal interruption to service.

Service

Rail fares are aligned with those of local Metro Transit buses, allowing transfer cards to be used interchangeably between the two without incurring additional charges. The smart card system, referred to locally as the Go-To Card, experienced software implementation delays but was fully functional by September 2006.

During regular operating hours, trains arrive every 10 to 15 minutes, with less frequent service during early mornings and late evenings. Enhanced service is available on Friday and Saturday nights. The line ceases operation for roughly four hours each night, except for a continuous shuttle service connecting MSP airport terminals. Each vehicle accommodates 66 seated passengers and up to 120 standing, commonly running in two- or three-car configurations to increase capacity.

Ridership

Representing approximately 13% of Metro Transit’s overall ridership, the Blue Line exceeded its weekday ridership target of 24,800 set for 2020 within just two years after opening. In 2015, the line served 10.6 million passengers, and by 2018 weekday ridership had climbed to 32,921. Both the Green and Blue Lines experienced a 59% decline in ridership in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but began to recover by 2023; however, average weekday numbers remained below 20,000.

Fares

The Blue Line operates under a proof-of-payment system that requires passengers to have valid tickets prior to boarding. Tickets can be purchased at station kiosks or via Go-To card readers and are valid for two and a half hours, permitting transfers across all Metro Transit lines and bus routes. Fare prices range from 50¢ within downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul zones up to $2.50 for adult trips during rush hour.

Rolling stock

The Blue Line fleet consists of 27 Bombardier Flexity Swift and 12 Siemens S70 light rail vehicles (LRVs), powered by a 750-volt DC system. While trains are capable of reaching speeds up to 55 mph, typical operating speeds average around 40 mph, particularly in downtown areas. These LRVs feature a low-floor design covering approximately 70% of the vehicle length, enabling step-free boarding that facilitates access for bicycles and strollers. Each unit weighs about 107,000 pounds. Minneapolis stands as the only U.S. city utilizing this specific Bombardier model.

The vehicles are painted in a blue, yellow, and white palette; the yellow highlights pay homage to the region’s historic streetcar heritage. Each LRV is divided into three sections labeled A, B, and C, with electrical power collected through a pantograph mounted on the B section. The initial batch of Bombardier cars began delivery in March 2003, expanding from an initial order of 15 units to a total of 24 by early 2005, supplemented by three additional cars funded through leftover construction budgets and county contributions.

Distinctive nose designs incorporate scoop-shaped elements intended to assist with snow clearance; this approach relies primarily on regular train operation rather than specialized snow removal equipment. Passenger safety is monitored via onboard cameras, while station areas are also under surveillance controlled remotely from the maintenance facility’s control center.

In August 2010, Siemens was awarded a contract to deliver twelve "Type II" S70 LRVs at $3.3 million each as part of an expansion allowing three-car train operations, totaling $153 million. These newer vehicles are mechanically compatible with the original Bombardier "Type I" fleet but lack electronic compatibility; consequently, multiple-unit trains are composed exclusively of one vehicle type.

Safety

Following the 2014 extension of the Green Line, Metro Transit initiated a rail safety awareness program aimed at schools and community groups located near the Blue Line. This initiative was recognized with a visual design accolade from the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators. By January 2015, the Blue Line had experienced 11 fatalities, with pedestrians involved in eight of these incidents. After two additional deaths—a cyclist and a wheelchair user—signage reading "See Tracks? Think Train" was placed at locations where recent accidents had occurred on both the Blue and Green Lines. As of September 2019, collisions with Blue Line trains have resulted in 15 deaths.

Safety concerns have also been heightened by incidents involving violent attacks, thefts, and disruptive behavior on station platforms. A homicide by stabbing took place at Lake Street/Midtown station in December 2014, and aggravated assaults increased through 2019, including another deadly stabbing at the same station in October 2017. To address these issues, Metro Transit boosted law enforcement presence with both uniformed and undercover officers, implemented a text-based system for contacting police, and deployed outreach teams to support homeless passengers in 2019. In January 2020, the Metropolitan Council approved funding of $1.3 million to equip all light rail vehicles with advanced 360-degree 4K cameras by the end of that year. Another fatal stabbing occurred on a Bloomington train in January 2020; however, no charges were brought forward due to claims of self-defense.

See also

• Hiawatha LRT Trail
• Metro Green Line (Minnesota)

External links

• Metro Transit: Metro Blue Line
• nycsubway.org: Hiawatha Line image collection
• Route map and schedule
• Network map (to scale)
• Metro Blue Line front view: Target Field to Mall of America